The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 146: Dramatic Kangee

As the others disappeared into the distance, Esme knew more troubles were heading their way after this. If Donovan and his people linger around here, surely the king would do something to strike back, but at least, they were wise enough to leave without causing problems for now.

Letting out a sigh, Esme’s strength gave way, and her knees sank into the snow. But before she could fully brace herself against the cold, strong arms suddenly swept her up, and she found herself held securely against Donovan.

The suddenness of his touch sent her heart racing as he lifted her in princess style, and his closeness made her catch her breaths.

His voice, deep and steady, broke the silence between them, and it was accompanied by the sound of his boots crunching the snow.

"Why do you keep collapsing to the ground when you could lean on me instead?" His question was direct, and Esme felt warmth creep up her cheeks, whilst she lowered her gaze, her pulse fluttering.

"I wasn’t tired... just relieved," she managed softly, the hint of a smile touching her lips. Yet, beneath her calm words, there was an unspoken weight, a lingering burden she couldn’t ignore.

Donovan sensed the subtle shift in her mood, feeling each flicker of her emotions as if they were his own. His curiosity tugged at him, and he wanted to see the expression that played across her face for himself, to know if they matched the emotions he sensed so vividly.

To him, there was something utterly captivating in the mystery of her guarded thoughts, and he found himself wondering what kind of secrets her gaze might reveal if he ever gets the chance to look into those mesmerizing eyes she possessed.

Althea and the warriors chose to give the couple their privacy, and Orion sighed out loud, feeling more single than ever as he watched the couple ahead.

"When we get back to the Land of Damned, I swear I’m finding myself a beautiful woman to carry," Orion declared with determination, refusing to let the sight make him feel left out.

Althea’s eyes brightened, "the Northern women here are quite charming too, you know," she added, half teasing them, but Atticus shook his head, folding his arms stubbornly.

Orion chimed in as he raised a finger, "To be honest, if I stay here in the North, my loyalty will be questionable. Better to head back to the Damned, where ninety-nine percent of the women terrify me."

Meanwhile, as Donovan carried Esme back to the manor, her fingers traced a faint line on his sleeve before she gathered the courage to speak her mind.

"I... I know I pushed you to help them," she murmured, a mix of gratitude and regret in her voice. "It couldn’t have been easy for you, especially knowing your own people could be harmed. You saved them, and they barely showed any appreciation at all. It hurts me to know that some of your own were hurt trying to protect them."

She looked up, her gaze fixed on him with a tenderness that words couldn’t capture. "Still... Thank you for doing it. For them, and for me." she whispered, only to feel his arms tighten ever so slightly, a silent answer that warmed her more deeply than any words he could have spoken.

"You don’t have to thank me," he said, his tone and soothing. "You acted on what you believed was right. Saving not just them, but the Northerners might have been our only option at the end of day. Thanks to you, we were able to act on it sooner."

He then hesitated, his brow knitting together, "But... the whole battle, it doesn’t add up."

Esme clung to him as they kept moving, "The battle?" She repeated. "I thought it was strange too, that the true bearer sent his weakest batch. They seem to have some kind of rank as well. That demon, Karnath, called himself the third pillar of the Abyssal pack. He even admitted he wasn’t supposed to be there, or maybe he did, but if there’s ambition for the throne, wouldn’t he stop at nothing to take it?"

Donovan’s expression softened as he absorbed her words, his usual guardedness slipping. He sighed deeply, the sound heavy with contemplation . "All we know for now is that the real war might be starting soon."

Esme’s hand reached up instinctively, resting against his chest. "Then... we’ll figure it out together, right?" Her voice was a tender promise, hoping to soothe the tension he’s in.

For a moment, Donovan remained silent, his guarded expression melting into something warm, even tender. His lips curved into a small, uncharacteristic smile. "Yeah... together."

As Esme returned to the building, she checked on the boys who were busy with Lothar in the open courtyard. Walking up to them and ensuring they were both fine, she made her rounds, checking on Acheron and Revana, who were busy securing the mansion’s safety, despite needing rest.

Her final stop was Kangee.

Perched by the window in Donovan’s chamber, Kangee’s dark feathers were fluffed in unmistakable irritation, its beady eyes narrowed with accusation. A fresh bandage was wrapped carefully around its injured wing, yet the fierce glint told Esme the bandage hadn’t softened its mood at all.

Esme couldn’t help but offer a sheepish smile as she approached. "Are you really mad at me?" she asked, a hint of nervous laughter escaping as she held out a small bundle of treats for Kangee to see, equally sitting by the window.

"Look," she said, "I brought you your favorites, just like I promised."

Kangee fixed its attention on her with an amused stare, letting out a low caw. It tilted its head back, eyes glittering with a sharp spark of intelligence. "How kind," it squawked, its voice laced with sarcasm. "As if that erases the fact you did this to me!"

"I didn’t do anything. That demon was to blame" Esme defended herself. "And it’s not like I asked you to swoop in and risk your wing. I was handling it just fine.."

"If you call nearly getting your pretty head chopped off by a demon as ’handling it,’ then I couldn’t agree more."

"Fine," Esme willingly surrendered, accepting defeat, knowing the silly bird wouldn’t rest until it proved her wrong. "You win, stubborn bird. But I do appreciate what you did. So, as a thank-you, I brought your favorites; Berries, nuts... even some bits of dried meat. Donovan mentioned they were favorites, so I gathered them for you."

Kangee’s feathers puffed lightly, its beady eyes narrowing slightly — though there was the faintest softening around its eyes. With a curt caw, it turned its head away, but not before eyeing the bundle with obvious interest.

"Hmph! I’m not impressed," muttered Kangee, turning its beak away in feigned indifference. Yet, despite its attempt to be nonchalant before Esme, its sharp gaze couldn’t resist darting back to the treats, a glint of interest betraying its aloof demeanor. "But if you insist, I suppose it would be rude of me to turn away such an underwhelming offering."

Esme rolled her eyes, clearly amused by the bird’s defiant reaction. "You are the most dramatic bird I’ve ever met."

"Better dramatic than careless!" it huffed indignantly, fluffing its feather and extending its good wing for emphasis," "I won’t be there to save you next time! But you’re forgiven. After all, I’m a creature of dignity and—"

Kangee trailed off when Esme extended a finger to gently stroke its head, a gesture that made Kangee twitch as though it was about to snap at her, but its sharp eyes softened as it let her touch him.

Esme chuckled at the begrudging look in its eyes, reading its reluctant acceptance, but then Donovan’s voice echoed from the doorway.

"You two seem to be getting along rather well," Donovan had stepped out of the room connecting to the chamber, and he was without his blindfold, his violet eyes catching the light.

For some reason, she was reminded of the excuse Lennox had uttered earlier. But she knew Donovan wouldn’t do anything to her. However, she really wanted to know what type of powers his eyes truly held.

"Kangee, where did I put my blindfold?" Donovan’s voice snapped her out of her reverie as he felt the table in front of him for his blindfold.

"I’ll get it for you," Esme offered to help, and Kangee didn’t have the energy to be annoyed with her for speaking in its stead. She moved to the dresser where his dark blindfold laid, retrieving it, then she made him sit down.

"I can put it on myself, you know."

"I know," Esme replied, reaching for his dark blindfold. She caught a glimpse of his lazy violet eyes before helping him slip the blindfold. But then, a mischievous thought popped in her head, and with a playful grin, she proceeded to tie his blindfold in a neat bow at the back.

Donovan heard her snicker all of a sudden, and he raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"Did you do something to me?"